Our Story

Surf Country Tow is a musical project following a tow truck driver, “Uncle Ruy Lopez,” while he is on a shift in Maui, HI.  The Valley Isle comes to life through songs, that are inspired from the interactions with people and places he comes into contact with while working. Uncle Ruy Lopez is on the Maui roads from windward to leeward, from the west side to the north shore and as far as Hana and Kaupo helping people with tows, lockouts and flat tires.  

Grom’s Christmas Wish, the first single, is a grom’s letter to Santa Claus. This year, things are tough and family life isn't great. He asks that instead of gifts, Santa use his magic so that he and his family can do something together that brings the best out of them.

No Can Run, the first album to be released in January 2023, is a pulpy Americana inspired work drawing influences from the country, roots reggae, folk, surf and Hawaiiana musical genres.  

John Denver said of Colorado that “he was born in the summer of his 27th year.  Coming home to a place he'd never been before. “  I was in my mid thirties when I arrived in Maui but there has never been a truer sentiment I have felt.  The adage here is that you are either embraced with open arms or you are chewed up and spat out.  From the minute I landed on island I have been blessed at every turn.  I was met with aloha at every break I went to surf, I met my wife and have since been blessed with 2 more children.  I have worked as a tow truck driver, an OPC Marketer at a high end resort, as a boat hand on a whale watching/snorkeling charter and as a kayak and snorkel guide out of Makena.  I have seen the good sides and bad sides of the island.  I have shared time with locals and with transplants alike.  The ocean has graced me with some of the most blessed rides and experiences of my life as well as the biggest poundings I ever thought I would have to endure.  

I am a fan of music and love stories.  I have played guitar for over 25 years but still, admittedly, play the same old tried and true chords.  Although none of the characters in these pieces are real, many of the inspirations come from things that did happen to me, things I heard about or witnessed, creatures I’ve seen and people I know.  Like a good story you hear while on the job or while checking surf and laughing with friends, sometimes you hear it and think…for sure there is a song in there somewhere. 

None of this would be possible without the love and support of my wife, three children and the patience, talent and generosity of one of my closest friends David Whitney of Root Cellar Studio.  Five years ago he heard me sing a couple songs in his basement studio and then promised to help me produce an album.  Our joke has become that the initial promise extended to a two mic singer songwriter set up and not the Maui version of Red Headed Stranger.  

I love Maui and this album is a way to express my gratitude.  When I drove a tow truck, I really made my way all over the island.  I took replacement car rentals from Kahului Airport to Hana.  I towed vehicles to sovereign Hawaiian lands.  In one day I could start in Wailuku and then head to a multi million dollar mansion in Kula.  I could start the car of a rock and roll legend and then be recovering a vandalized stolen vehicle in Maliko Gulch.  I was blessed with conversations with tutus, tourists, expats, uncles and aunties.  I had conversations ranging from surfing, religion, history and the illegal occupation of the Kingdom of Hawaii.  

Mahalos to the musicians that shared their talent with me to help realize this artistic vision (Tyler Grant, Andrew Bonnis, Sulemon Gordon, Angie Janzen, Mishka, Sara Jelley, Bristol Dupont).  I am so grateful for Emma Whitney for her photography and capturing the great images on this site.

To all my friends, family, people I worked with, acquaintances and to anyone I have shared a lineup with at the numerous breaks on island…for the random and radical shaka thrown by a friend or total stranger…I am eternally grateful for your Aloha and making every day on Maui a blessing.  

Mahalo Ke Akua! Aloha Kakou!

Maui No Ka Oi!